Q: I was an AGR Recruiter for the National Guard under Title 32 orders for 5 years, do I qualify for Post 9/11 GI Bill. This is the only active duty time I have?

A: Due to a change that was made under GI Bill 2.0, AGR time starting on August 1, 2011 under Title 32 does count. And you can go back to the beginning of the Post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility date September 10, 2001. What doesn’t count is AGR time before August 1, 2011.

I know this is confusing. It is confusing to me and I work with this stuff all the time. What it is saying is that AGR time before the August 2011 date does not count toward Post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility, however time on AGR orders after the August 2011 date does and you can push your eligibility back to the beginning of the Post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility start date – September 10, 2001.

So for example if you came on AGR orders for a three-year tour on August 1, 2007 and your orders ended July 31, 2010. None of that time would count toward the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

However if you came on another set of the same type orders on August 1, 2010, you would have two years of eligibility under those orders when they expired on July 31, 2013, along with an additional three years under the first set of orders. Three years total of eligible time would put you at 100% eligibility tier.

When you decide to use your Post 9/11 GI Bill, the VA will pay your tuition directly to your school up to the resident rate at a public school or up to $20,235.02 per year as a private school. Also you’ll get a housing allowance each month that currently averages $1,300 and a book stipend once per semester (up to the $1,000 per year cap).

Unfortunately, because you are no longer serving in an active duty status, you would not be eligible to make a transfer of benefits to your spouse or children.